Chair.



No. 637,968. Patented Nov. 28, I899. W. B. McALLlSTER.

CHAIR.

(Application filed Apr. 2'7, 1899.)

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Patented Nov. 28, I899. W. B. MGALLISTER.

C H A I R (Application filed. Apr. 27, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALLACE B. MCALLISTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 637,968, dated November 28, 1899.

Application filed April 27, 1899. Serial No. 714,698. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALLACE B. MCALLIS- TER, of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chairs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in chairs of the character adapted to revolve upon a pedestal, which in-this instance is preferably composed of the legs of the chair, the latter being so arranged as to remain stationary, while the seat and back are allowed to revolve, means being also provided whereby the seat and legs are locked against rotation when the chair is not in use, so that to all outward appearances the chair is similar to any of the ordinary chairs at present in use.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the chair constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section thereof, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, the back of the chair being also shown in section. Fig. 3 represents a plan View of the pedestal with the seat removed. Fig. 4 represents an inverted plan view of the seat itself. Fig. 5 represents a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 represents a top view of one of the legs, showing the socket therein adapted to receive the rollers Whereon the seat revolves. Fig. 7 represents a side View of one of the rollers removed. Fig. 8 represents a side elevation of one of the rollers in position within its housing. Fig. 9 represents a section thereof, taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Similar reference-numerals indicate correspondin g parts in all the figures of the draw ings.

In the drawings, 1 designates the chair, shown in this instance as provided with a circular seat 2, having on its under side an annular groove 3, which in turn has a centrallydisposed depression 4, wherein the peripheries of rollers 5 travel. These rollers are supported in housings 6, which fit in sockets or recesses 7, formed in the upper extremities of each of the legs 8. The housings 6 on their inside are preferably provided with bosses 9, which are bored to provide bearings for blocks 11, upon the innersurfaces of which latter annulargrooves 12 are formed, adapted to receive therein antifriction-rollers l3,which latter also rest in annular grooves 14, formed upon the faces of the rollers 5.

15 designates set-screws which pass through the threaded openings in the bosses 9 and engage the blocks 11, and thus serve to keep the samein their proper relative position with the rollers and also as a means of adjustment, as will be apparent.

Referring to Fig. 5 it will be observed that the portion of the leg of the chair shown slants or inclines outwardly from its upper extremity, which is the case in most of the chairs as now constructed, and the housing contained within the recess or socket 7 is also held therein in a correspondiugly-inclined position; but the journals 10 in the bosses 9 are horizontally disposed, as shown, so that the roller 5 is retained in a perfectly vertical position at all times.

16 designates a rubber washer which is disposed between the lower end of the housing 6 and the upper face of a plate 17, the latter being provided with a pintle or shank 18, adapted to enter a reduced extension 19 of the socket or recess 7.

2O designates a spiral spring which is placed upon the pintle or shank 18, one end of which bears upon the lower end of the extension 19, and the other end bears against the plate 17, and thus keeps the housings 16 in an elevated position, so that its roller will normally engage the depression 4 in the under side of the seat 2. f

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the upper extremities of the legs are vertical, in which it willbe apparent that the housings 6 will be held in a correspondingly vertical position, so that the journals 10, instead of being higher on one side than on the other, will be bored in a perfectly horizontal line.

21 designates a rim which issecured to the legs 8 near their upper extremities and in close proximity to the underside of the seat 2, and 22 designates clamps which are secured to the under side of the seat, the lower bent ends of which project under the lower edge of the rim 21 and engage therewith when the chair is not in use, thus preventing aroparent.

Games tative movement of the seat, as will be ap- This rim not only serves the purpose just described, but also serves to brace the legs and give greater rigidity thereto.

It will be obvious that when the chair is occupied the weight of the person occupying it will compress the springs 20, so that the seat is lowered and the clamps 22 released from their engagement with the rim 21, thus permitting of the free rotation of the seat, whilethe pedestal or legs remain stationary.

23 designates segments which in number correspond with the number of legs, each segment being provided at its abutting edges with an open recess 24, which when in position and secured to the upper extremities of the legs form open slots 25, through which the peripheries of the rollers will protrude, as clearly shown. These segments not only serve to give greater strength to the legs, but also serve to keep the housings and their adjuncts, so that a displacement thereof is absolutely prevented.

It will be observed from the foregoing that my invention provides in a simple, effective, and inexpensive manner a revolving chair which is particularly well adapted for the purposes intended, and it will also be observed that the springs will keep the rollers at all times in contact with the seat and that when the seat is occupied the rubber washers below the housings will serve as a cushion when they contact with the ends of the sockets or recesses, but nevertheless giving to the chair solidity and firmness. It will be also apparent that although I have shown in the Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat cut, is-

1. In a chair of the character described, the combination with the legs formed with sockets at the upper ends, the housings, the rollers carried thereby and the coiled springs for supporting said housings, of the seat with which said rollers engage and means for looking the seat and legs when the chair is not in use, substantially as specified.

2. In a revolving chair of the character described, the combination with the legs formed with sockets in their upper ends and provided with reduced extensions, the coiled springs,

the housings seated in said sockets and the rollers, of the seat having a depression in the under side with which said rollers engage, and means for locking said legs and seat when the chair is not in use, substantially as specified.

3. A revolving chair of the character de scribed, comprising a base 'or pedestal composed of the legs, each leg having a roller mounted thereon, the coiled springs, a seat having an annular groove in its'under side wherein the said rollers are adapted to travel, a rim adjacent to said seat and clamps secured to said seat and adapted to engage said rim and lock the seat against rotation when the chair is not in use, substantially as specified.

4:. A revolving chair of the character described, comprising a base or pedestal having rollers mounted therein, springs interposed between the pedestal and said rollers whereby the latter are kept normally elevated, a seat having an annular groove, and a centrallydisposed depression in said groove adapted to receive the said rollers, and wherein they travel, a rim adjacent said seat and clamps adapted to engage said rim whereby the seat is held in its proper relation with the pedestal and locked against rotative movement when the chair is not in use.

\VALLAOE B. MCALLIS'IER. Witnesses:

JOHN A. RENNIE, WM. H. KNORD. 

